Crusaders earn shot at being 'Kings of the North'

The last time the Sherwood Park Crusaders made it as far as the final four, rookie sensations Carter Savoie and Michael Benning were barely one-year-olds.

The Cru are off to the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s North final for the first time since 2003 after putting away the Fort McMurray Oil Barons in their second round series over the weekend.

The Crusaders, in their 40th anniversary season of playing in the Park, collected the most wins in a season in franchise history by going 44-14-2 and captured first place in the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s North Division and the accompanying opening round bye that comes with it for the first time since 2002-2003.